Supporting work colleagues of color after police shootings
Q: With multiple public killings of unarmed Black, Indigenous and people of color by police, how can white allies offer support to colleagues of color at work, and what should they not say?
A: Sometimes we don’t mention things because we don’t want to remind people of their pain. But what actually happens when we don’t acknowledge the issue is that people feel alone in their pain. You can reach out and say something like, “Hey. I’ve seen there’s been a lot of highly publicized killings of people of color in the news, and it’s all been so awful.”
If you’re committed to racial justice, you should be willing to do things like donating to victims of racist killings, protesting or sending letters to Congress.
Don’t wait for employees of color to create workplace change. Lobby your boss for diversity training, encourage HR to recruit more employees of color, comment when committees and panels include only white people, and call out racially biased treatment, racist comments or and microaggressions.
— Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and friendship expert
A: Like it or not, when massive injustice happens, it adds to the stress people bring into the workspace.
Something as simple as stating at the top of a meeting that an injustice has happened — and this group cares about things like that — allows the reality to live in the room. Don’t wait for the person who’s suffering to tell you times are hard. If you know there’s a situation happening, it’s up to you to set a tone where people feel safe.
It’s scary to be the only Black or brown face in a workplace and call attention to the fact that a verdict is about to be read: If you’re a “white ally,” realize your power, and make sure your workplace is somewhere people don’t have to walk on eggshells until something breaks.
— Ike Holter, Chicago playwright and screenwriter